Hockey Canada reveals 31 players for its final world junior team tryouts

Some years, it feels like the Canadian world junior team could be picked before selection camp starts. This is not one of them.

On Monday, Hockey Canada revealed the 31 players (four goaltenders, 10 defencemen and 17 forwards) for its final tryout starting next week at Oakville’s Sixteen Mile Sports Complex. There are a number of question marks for a country trying to rebound from a medal-less 2019 tournament on home ice in British Columbia.

Four eligible players — forwards Barrett Hayton (Coyotes), Kirby Dach (Blackhawks), Joe Veleno (Red Wings) and defenceman Noah Dobson (Islanders) — were left off the list because it is not yet clear if their NHL clubs will release them for the event, which begins against the United States Dec. 26 in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

At this point, Hayton and Dach are long shots to be loaned to Hockey Canada. The outlook is more favourable for Veleno, who is playing in the American league with the Grand Rapids Griffins, and Dobson, who has been used sparingly by New York.

“We’re continuing to have conversations with all four NHL teams,” Shawn Bullock, Hockey Canada’s director of men’s national teams, said. “Time is on our (side). The (NHL holiday) roster freeze is Dec. 19 and that’s when we expect a final decision, if not before that.”

There are some injury issues that have hampered the scouting process, too.

Former OHL first overall pick Ryan Suzuki, a Hurricanes first-rounder and Barrie Colts standout, was passed over while recovering from an eye injury that left him sidelined for several weeks. Halifax defenceman Jared McIsaac, a member of last year’s Canadian squad, and Winnipeg forward Peyton Krebs are heading to camp despite missing the first three months of their Canadian Hockey League seasons.

McIsaac, a Red Wings prospect, has only appeared in one game with the Mooseheads to date while Krebs, a Vegas first-rounder, has skated in five so far.

“It’s always a concern when someone comes back from a long-term injury,” Mark Hunter, Hockey Canada’s under-20 team GM, said. “The reports we got from Halifax and Winnipeg, everything’s fine. But it’s another level of speed and skill when you come to camp. It’s going to be interesting how they react. Hopefully, they’re fine and at the top end of their game. Only time will tell where they’re at.”

Owen Sound captain Aidan Dudas also earned a look after being hurt in a game last week at Kitchener.

The only certainty is Alexis Lafreniere, the Rimouski star forward and first-overall frontrunner for the 2020 NHL draft, is expected to be a major factor for the Dale Hunter-coached Canadian team. Even he skipped the Quebec league portion of last month’s Canada Russia exhibition series because of physical woes.

“His experience (from last year) is really valuable,” Hockey Canada head scout Brad McEwan said. “Until you live it, it’s hard to explain what it’s all about. Knowing Alexis’ character, he’s going to be a real good positive guy for our team and we expect leadership in the way he conducts himself and plays.”

With only four potential returnees (Lafreniere, McIsaac, Veleno and Spokane d-man Ty Smith), the door is wide open for an irregular number of younger players to crack the lineup. Sudbury’s Quinton Byfield, Saginaw’s Cole Perfetti and Erie’s Jamie Drysdale are 17-year-olds and potential NHL first-round picks.

They are three of the six invitees who have yet to be drafted by an NHL club.

“We felt strongly they were the best players, irrelevant of age,” Hockey Canada head scout Brad McEwan said. “They’ve been good productive players through our (Program of Excellence) and look at what they’ve done with their club teams. Quinton, he’s a big body who possesses the puck and gets to the areas he needs to be successful. Cole is really highly-skilled with tremendous hockey sense. You can move him around a lineup and he can produce goals. Jamie Drysdale’s game keeps evolving. He continues to be an impactful player in Erie.

“We’re excited to get all three of those guys to camp.”

The biggest battle, of course, will be in net. There is no lock as in the past two years with clear No. 1s Mikey DiPietro, now in the

Canucks system, and Flyers netminder Carter Hart.

That uncertainty has paved the way for undrafted 18-year-old Guelph Storm goalie Nico Daws, who has the OHL’s best numbers in his first year as a major junior starter. He will challenge Drummondville’s Olivier Rodrigue (Oilers), Peterborough’s Hunter Jones (Wild) and Portland’s Joel Hofer (Blues) for one of the three available puck-stopping spots.

“He’s playing in front of a young D (corps) and has made a big difference for the Guelph team,” Hunter said of the 6-foot-4, 202-pounder from Burlington. “He sure looks like a goalie (and) everybody’s got a chance to make the roster. It’s wide open. We wouldn’t be bringing them if they weren’t (capable). They’ve got a chance to make it and it’s going to be an intense four days for all the players.

“There will be lots of evaluations by the (selection) group and tough decisions.”

There are several challenges (age, injury, uncertainty) to overcome, beginning with two games next week against a team of Canadian university all-stars.

But if the final 23-man roster ends up with gold medals around their necks next month, those hurdles will be forgotten.

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